Winter in Marion Bay is a great time to visit.
However it is cool with windy, and often rainy days.
But some brave hearted souls ( like my husband and myself) swim all year round. It is possible with sea temperatures never really dropping to those icy Antarctic levels.
However along this coastline we can get some powerful storms, with big swells washing copious amounts of sand either in to the shore or back out to sea. The shoreline can change quite dramatically as you will see from some of the images below.
In winter there is still plenty to see and do. You may not be swimming, and sun tanning but you can still go on walks, go fishing and go sightseeing.
Strictly Sightseeing.
Hop in the car and see the unique and diverse coastline which offers some beautiful sights. But please do get out of your car and walk down the steps if the waves are big. From the platform they may look large, but down on ground level they are enormous. Certainly worth a photo or two. However do keep back, those waves can suddenly and very ferociously rush in and soak the unsuspecting tourist!
Weather and waves.
Check the weather, it can be quite windy in some places, and seaspray will cover your glasses, camera and car.
If you do wander down the many stairs and sit for an hour or two and watch the displays by the ocean swells and turbid weather, take a warm (preferably rain proof) jacket and hat, a camera and a dry towel to sit on.
Long Walks and exploring.
If weather permits some longer walks are highly recommended. Across the tops of the cliffs provide some spectacular views of the surrounding ocean.
Shorter walks and foraging
A walk along the calmer sandy shores collecting and foraging are well worth the effort.
Penguin point, Willyama Beach, Daly Heads, Formby Bay, are all sandy beaches with collecting opportunities.
Animal life.
If you are fortunate you will see kangaroos, emus, dolphins, mallee fowl, and even a whale or two.
General day to day living
However this year, 2026, it has been an extremely wet and dismal winter. But the farmers are rejoicing as their crops are promising to be the best they have ever had.
We have spent most of our time indoors and fishing trips have been very limited. Yorke Peninsula can be buffeted daily by strong winds, so this increases the chill factor. We still mangaged to go out fishing on a few occasions and it caught some good sized red snapper and flathead. Both beautiful fish for eating.
The view from the top of the hill of Innes National Park on a cloudy day.
Strong winds and a big swell buffet the shoreline. The Pondalowie cliffs look spectacular. We have taken these shots from up on the hill. If you were to venture down to the Pondies cliffs in this weather, you would just get absolutely soaked in seaspray.
The remains of the Ethel shipwreck. Tons of sand has been washed out and the shipwreck is quite exposed. Come summer and tons of sand will wash back in and almost cover the shipwreck.
Surfers going over some wild waves. Not the best conditions but sometimes its worth it just to get wet.
The baby emus appear at the end of August, early September. We love watching them grow and get used to the nosey tourists always stopping to photograph them. Not me of course!!! The red bushes are everywhere at the moment, spring is trying to arrive with flowers just starting to appear. Summer could be on the horizon and this will be most welcome
Marion Bay jetty with only a handful of tourists. Later on in the winter there was nobody on the jetty as catching squid was not allowed till summer. I think this was due to the algae bloom outbreak during last summer.
We have a few foggy days when the wind decides not to blow. Oooo the serenity of a calm day!
Only a few yachts over winter, just the brave souls who enjoy a bit of a challenge.
Foam washes on to the shore. Normally a sandy sunny spot!
An ocean liner buffeted by winds and a big swell.
For me the most spectacular happening by far over our winter is the gigantic powerful waves that hit the shore. I dress warmly, ear muffs, gloves, thick jacket and scarf and often take a walk up West Cape beach. The sound these waves make is quite loud and explosive! Very invigorating, but certainly a unique and different experience.
(All images are taken by Wendy Philip. No AI generated images.)
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